The flywheel effect

Dear reader

Exits free up financial resources from investors. The founders of the acquired company can become business angels themselves or help large organisations improve their understanding of start-ups. It is, therefore, good that exits have become commonplace. ETH Zurich spinoff Animatico was sold to US chip giant Nvidia, and several of the start-up's team joined the new company. Halo Collective Inc., another US company, intends to acquire the Swiss CBD start-up Phytocann for up to USD 100 million. Swiss Codecheck AG sold its app to the German platform Testberichte.de in an asset deal.

In addition to these transactions, we have highlighted exits in other articles this week, such as in Hair & Skin's growth story. Launched in 2020, the company is now the Swiss market leader in hair transplants, employs over 100 people and is expanding into Western Switzerland. Its investors include the founders of Best Smile, a start-up which was recently sold to Migros.

An exit also plays a role in our article featuring the Swiss entrepreneurs on the latest Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list. The list includes the founders of Vay, who sold their start-up to a US company even before they turned 30. The other Swiss founders in the Forbes list show that start-ups in this country are also well represented in trending verticals such as femtech, blockchain or spacetech.

Another megatrend is sustainability, and there is good news from the investor side. A new VC fund that has already invested in five start-ups has been launched in Zurich. The fund has a total target size of 200 million euros. Even more money is available to the NYM Innovation Fund. Venture capital partners have committed USD300 million to contribute to the creation of a privacy-enhanced internet.

In total, we reported on six investments in start-ups this week. The largest sum, CHF15.5 million, went to Engimmune Therapeutics. The entire biotech industry is currently on a high. We present details on this and new trends in our article on the Swiss Biotech Report.

The event season is in full swing. Please use our calendar not to miss one. I would like to draw your attention to the SEF.Founders Conference, for which registration closes on 11 May. Start-ups can apply for a booth at the Impact Event Showcase 2030 until 13 May. The next Start-up Weekend will take place in Zurich, starting on 13 May. Finally, the annual Start-up Days will be held again in Bern on 19 May. Tickets are still available.

Have a good weekend.
Stefan Kyora

Editor in Chief, Startupticker.ch